There are primarily two types of sports mouthguards available: dentist-made and retail. Understanding the differences between them can help you make an informed decision about which is best for your needs.

Dentist-Made Sports Mouthguards

Custom-fit mouthguards, provided by dental professionals, are tailored to fit the unique dental structure of an individual. Dentist-made mouthguards offer:

• Custom-fit. A dentist takes a detailed impression of your teeth to ensure a precise fit. This approach ensures that the mouthguard fits properly, reducing the chances of it slipping or causing discomfort during use.
• Enhanced protection. With a custom fit, dentist-made mouthguards offer superior protection against injuries. By fitting closely to the teeth, these mouthguards can absorb the impact of a blow more effectively than their retail counterparts, significantly reducing the risk of trauma. Some research shows that custom-made mouthguards may even reduce the risk of concussion in impact sports [1].
• Better comfort. Dentist-made mouthguards tend to be more comfortable. Since they are tailored specifically for your mouth, they fit securely, making it easier to speak, breathe, and focus on the game without distraction, making sports players more likely to wear them [2].
• Durability. Crafted from high-quality materials, custom mouthguards are generally more durable and can withstand repeated usage over time. This durability can make them a cost-effective choice in the long term, as they don’t need frequent replacement.

Retail Sports Mouthguards

Retail mouthguards are readily available in stores and online, offering a more generalized fit. They are usually classified into two categories:

1. Stock Mouthguards: These are pre-formed and ready to wear. They are often the least expensive option but provide the least protection and comfort. Since they don’t conform tightly to your unique smile, retail mouthguards don’t absorb impact as well as custom models [3]. This looser fit can also be uncomfortable, leading to potential distractions during sports activities.
2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: These are slightly customizable. The user softens the thermoplastic material in hot water, places it into their mouth, and shapes it using fingers and tongue pressure. However, boil-and-bite mouthguards fail to replicate the comfort and fit of custom-made guards.

Although wearing a retail mouth guard is better than no protection at all, a custom-made mouthguard is always the better option for complete protection and comfort.

Ask Your Dentist About Custom Mouthguards Today

Investing in the right sports mouthguard is an investment in your dental health and overall safety. A custom-made mouthguard offers unsurpassed protection and comfort, ensuring peace of mind while engaging in sports. For personalized advice and to explore custom-fit options, contact your dentist today. Protect your smile and enjoy the game with confidence with the right mouthguard!

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm 
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002817794580127# 
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11354441_A_comparison_of_commercially_available_mouthguards_and_a_custom_mouthguard

The post Differences Between Dentist-Made and Retail Sports Mouthguards appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Healthy teeth are more than just a pretty smile for these Olympians. A healthy smile has been
linked to a lower risk for systemic diseases such as heart disease. In addition, strong teeth help
these athletes to properly chew their food, therefore supporting proper digestion.

With all the rigors of being an athlete, how do these professionals protect their smile when
competing in the winter games?

Custom Mouthguards Prevent Injury

In sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and hockey, custom mouthguards are an integral part of
preventing injury. Combine this with the fact that a dental emergency can majorly hinder—if
not entirely halt—their performance and mouth safety has become more of a priority than ever
for these competitors.

Custom mouthguards are essential and offer full protection, as compared to store-bought ones
that can’t properly mold to your unique smile. In fact, there’s also evidence that mouthguards
may help decrease the frequency and severity of brain concussions. This is because in addition
to protecting the teeth, custom mouthguards can help absorb the harmful impact in sports that
can cause concussions!

Protecting and Preventing Sensitive Teeth

In the Winter Olympics, cold air does more than make the body cold. If these athletes have
sensitive teeth, breathing cold air can actually make teeth that have compromised enamel hurt!
It’s imperative that these professional competitors take care of their smiles to avoid this.

For example, consider figure skating, where athletes are exposed to temperatures close to
freezing while outdoor competitors are exposed to temperatures in the negatives, sometimes
as much as 25 degrees below! These temperatures are enough to make sensitive teeth painful,
therefore compromising an athlete’s ability to perform their best.

It’s essential to prevent sensitive teeth when possible by adopting best practices when it comes
to teeth whitening (always get it professionally done), hygiene (gentle brushing habits), and
checkups (every six months). An athlete’s mouth is more important than you think!

Athletes Need to Have Their Best Smile

For all the reasons above, athletes need to have their best smile. Dental checkups are
imperative to getting cavities treated early as well as getting any injured teeth repaired. A
professional dentist can also fit athletes with a proper mouthguard, ensuring their smile is
protected at all times while competing.

X-rays can also help determine any problems that your dentist can’t easily see, such as
impacted wisdom teeth. Did you know that athletes who have impacted wisdom teeth are four
times more likely to suffer from a broken jaw while competing? It’s more important than ever
for these professionals to have their best, healthiest smile.

Have you been enjoying the Winter Olympics? Consider that these Olympians need to keep
their mouths as healthy as possible. It wouldn’t hurt to take a cue from these professionals and
take care of your smile, so that you have the best, most beautiful and healthy smile for your
future, whether you’re an Olympian or not!

The post How Winter Olympians Protect Their Smile appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.